Libtech lost rnf for a kite and surf?

NSW

3 posts

NSW, 3 posts

10 Sep 2018 10:36PM

HiAny thoughts on using a libtech board for kitesurfing and surfing? Looking for a one board fits all for travelling. I like the idea of libtech durability and construction. Wonder how a shape like the list round nose fish would perform in kitesurfing. Thoughts?

NSW

122 posts

NSW, 122 posts

12 Sep 2018 10:39AM

Don't know about the fish but I have a bowl series 6'2" (i think), great shape and riding as a quad. Being a bigger guy at approx 95kg, it's width and relatively low rocker has helped my kiting enormously with staying upwind and also light wind conditions. Preforms excellently, fast, snappy, light and strong, heel dents only.Would be no problem paddle surfing as well (but maybe better for a lighter guy)

NSW

278 posts

NSW, 278 posts

12 Sep 2018 10:51AM

The lost RNF is a legendary design that has been refined over 20 years. If you can you should check this video

in its entirity to see some of the epic waves it's ridden in (eg skeleton bay by corey lopez). I believe it is able to do this because of the thinner rails and pulled in tail which would make it great for kiting. I think surfboards are only bad for kiting when there is too much rail in the volume which the RNF does not have and the proof of which is that it can be ridden in solid waves. In summary i would think that the shape favours surf/kiting crossover, unsure about the libtech construction, but everything else they make has a very solid reputation for quality and durability.

NSW

3 posts

NSW, 3 posts

807 posts

807 posts

Hey matefriend of mine went libtech a couple of years ago, aiming to trial durability for that surf/kite cross over type board (as we all do at some stage with mixed but usually little success )

he did kite it (different model to the RNF) ok, but was being pretty conservative at the time.funnily enough, creased it surfing pretty small local (Perth) shore breaks instead, and it was a write off. Disappointed with that and he didn't go back.

Just one experience so take it for what it's worth. Agree with above that the RNF has the right ingredients in the mix etccheers

NSW

2611 posts

NSW, 2611 posts

QLD

275 posts

QLD, 275 posts

9 Oct 2018 6:55PM

I have the 5'4 Puddle Fish in carbon wrap construction which is my groveller surfboard, but lately I've been using it in better and better waves as it handles it well compared to some other fish type boards I had in the past. I also kite on it when the wind is light 10-12knots as it gets going super early and it goes really well on the wave but once the wind gets over 15 its too fast, but to be fair its 28.5L and my standard kiteboard is 22.5L The round nose fish is narrower so it would be better to control in stronger winds. I checked out the Lib Tech construction and it feels solid so I'd say if you only going to have a one board quiver for surfing and kitesurfing it would be a good allrounder, just try to get as low a volume as you can possibly get away with for surfing so it can handle stronger winds.